I've personally been on and off the Atkins diet a few dozen times over the last 10 years.

Since I had no history of GERD prior to the radiation tx, I have made that the connection.

Besides, I noticed the main side-effect of a low to zero carb diet was constipation.

Seems like there's no such thing as a free lunch

at my 4 yr check last week, my ENT asked me about GERD. i have a high pain threshold, so said that it didn't seem to be a real problem...
actually i've put up with it for quite awhile.

he told me that he could see signs that GERD was winning and perscribed ranitidine 300mg @ 1 per day. he also said that he had read a report that linked GERD to an increased risk of cancer recourrance. who knows? anyone else read that?

anyway after a week on the stuff, my life is much more comfortable. there was no need for me to suffer in silence.

cu,
larryb

larryb, statistically, one of the risk factors for esophageal cancer is being a head and neck cancer patient/survivor. A couple of others, which we have heard before, are smoking and alcohol consumption. Untreated GERD can damage cells in the esophagus, leading to a condition known as Barrett's Esophagus, in which cells are classified as pre-cancerous. Some damage can be healed by the ingestion of proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec is one). The generic Zantac you are taking will definitely relieve symptoms, but is a step down from the PPIs in treatment terms. This is a highly simplified overview. For more specific and detailed information do a search on http://www.medlineplus.gov

Just one more thing to keep on top of.

Hello Mary,

Sounds like you resolved the problem you were asking about. Thats one of the best benifits of belonging to this forum. Someone with similer treatment will always respond when asked.
He will need more than three cans to maintain, heal and gain weight. You can mix in a whey protein powder (GNC) along wit CIB(Carnation Imstant breakfast) to boost his nutrient intake.
I was at 126 lbs three weeks ago and have gained 10 pounds since than. I do have a peg tube and have no problems with it at all. If he can swallow food that should be the first choice for him. I have swallowing issues.

Welcome again, Danny Boy

Something I was reading recently mentioned the fact that normal saliva has components that help to neutralize stomach acid. This made me wonder whether the impaired salivary function that often follows radiation is enough by itself to create a greater risk of GERD and esophageal problems. I haven't found anything that specifically addresses this -- does anyone know whether this is true?

Cathy

Cathy, I think that may be entirely possible, as it is recommended that people with heartburn chew gum to increase saliva production. It makes me wonder if H&N patients with impaired salivary function should routinely take antiacids, as I do know that GERD can exist with no symptoms. All of which does not answer your original question, I am afraid.

Please be aware that if you are having an acid stomach problem 2 days a week or more, that you need to get on a proton pump inhibitor like Nexium, Prilosec OTC, etc. The long term consedquense is the possible development of Barrett's esophogus which can transform into esophogeal cancer, and is the primary precursor to it. Chronic use of conventional anti-acids instead of a PPI will mask the symptoms of Gerd and allow Barrett's to develop over years. I like others, have a upper endoscopy every two years and are on long term use of PPI's to keep things in line. When in doubt visit a GI doc to have a chronic situation evaluated and a diagnosis of GERD determined.

My RO did tell me that the reduced saliva fucntion might cause problems with acid in the stomach. I never had a problem until I had the laryngectomy 4 years later and was put on rantidine 150mg 2Xs a day. This was supposed to make certain that I had no acid reflux after the operation. While I do not feel I have GERD, I do have a massive amount of intestinal gas and bloating so after two years on ranitidine switched to Prevacid 40mg 1X a day. Seems to work better, but still have intestinal gas. All this may be totally unleated to rad and simply irritable bowel symdrome. I'm still trying to figure it out. Drs haven't.

If I have GERD, I have it with no heartburn. Is that possible? I have mild hiatal hernia, but rarely experience any reflux that I am aware of unless you stand me on my head and repeatedly tell me to drink barium because I am doing it wrong until I can't take anymore. GI doctor says esaphagus is all clear.

The thing I wonder is if the Prevacid is reducing the acid level in my stomach so much that I am not properly digesting food. ie. Maybe I don't need it all and it is only causing problems. I'm tempted to try a month without it to see what happens with the stomach bloating/intestinal gas, but haven't had found a good time to do it. Right now keeping a journal of all food eaten and all gas/diarrhea problems to see if I can establish any pattern. Will see what happens.

Take care,
Eileen